ADULTS, CHILDREN & GENERAL HELPLINES

In the first instance, if you or someone else are in immediate danger please call 999

If you can’t speak, cough, or tap the handset then press 55 on your phone – the police will know it’s an emergency.

DOMESTIC ABUSE

Domestic abuse can happen to anyone from any walk of life regardless of ethnicity, age, gender, sexuality or social background.

1 in 4 women will experience domestic abuse.
1 in 6 men will experience domestic abuse.
1 in 5 children have lived with an adult perpetrating domestic abuse.

Domestic abuse is often defined as the abusive behaviour of one person towards another where they are personally connected and each is aged 16 or over.

This could be a single incident or a course of conduct. Abusive behaviour includes:

physical or sexual abuse
violent or threatening behaviour
emotional abuse
controlling or coercive behaviour
economic abuse
psychological, emotional or other abuse.

Domestic abuse can occur between two people who are intimate partners, ex-partners, family members or individuals who share parental responsibility for a child. The victim/survivor and perpetrator do not have to live in the same household. Offenders convicted of coercive or controlling behaviour now face tougher management from police and probation services in England and Wales, meaning the crime is "on a par" with other domestic abuse offences.

Children related to the victim or perpetrator who see, hear or otherwise experience the effects of abuse are also recognised as victims.

WHERE TO GET HELP

ADULTS

National Domestic Abuse 24 hour helpline: If you are experiencing domestic abuse, call 0808 2000 247

Rape crisis: 0808 802 9999 www.rapecrisis.org.uk

Suzy Lamplugh Trust. Support for victims of stalking & advice on lone working: 0808 802 0300 www.suzylamplugh.org

Men’s advice line: 0808 8010327

Hourglass: Hourglass believes in safer ageing and stopping abuse for the elderly. 0808 808 8141 Lines open 24/7. wearehourglass.org

Adult Social Services: 03000 41 61 61

Domestic Abuse Volunteer Support Service (DAVSS) - West Kent

DAVSS is an award-winning community-based charity supporting any victims (aged 16 and above) of domestic abuse, who are living in West Kent (including Sevenoaks, Tonbridge and Malling, and Tunbridge Wells council areas.)
Help Line Telephone: 01892 570538 10am to 1pm from Monday to Friday (Messages may be left outside these hours and will be responded to as soon as possible.)
For all non-helpline enquiries please call: 01892 502074
Email: office@davss.org.uk
If you wish to make a referral please go to: www.davss.org.uk/referral/

Victim Support
In Kent and Medway you can access domestic abuse services by contacting Victim Support for assessment and referral to your local service by calling 0808 168 9111 or using the Live Chat facility.
The phone line is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Visit: www.victimsupport.org.uk/resources/kent/

CHILDREN

Childline: 0800 1111: If you are a child or a young person and are worried about anything, then call free, 24 hours. www.childline.org.uk

NSPCC [National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children: 0808 800 5000 (free 24hours) Child protection helpline. Phone if worried about a child. www.nspcc.org.uk

Stop it now: 0808 1000 900 Helps to prevent child sex abuse.

Safe spaces: For survivors of child-related abuse. 0300 303 1056 www.safespacesenglandandwales.org.uk

Child Social Services: 03000 41 11 11

GENERAL HELPLINES

Samaritans: If you are struggling to cope and need someone to talk to, call 08457 909090 (open 24hours)

Cruise bereavement helpline: 0808 808 1677

Reporting concerns is not always easy but it is very important you do so.

Your concerns will be taken seriously and acted upon.

To discuss these matters further or to ask for advice, please contact the Parish Safeguarding Officer, Pam Calvert on
01732 770962 x 42 pso@tonbridgeparishchurch.org

Particularly in light of the high profile national cases, if you would like further information on church-based abuse please do ask.